This peculiar book takes 14 episodes from World War II and presents them as "unexplained mysteries". Each is explored in 6 to 8 pages, and is illustrated with photographs, diagrams, and maps.

Unfortunately, the book's title and dust jacket are misleading. Each of the explored episodes does deal with some aspect of WW2, but most are (as viewed 70 years later) of trivial import, and only a few are in any sense, actual mysteries.

For example, there is the US submarine that sunk itself with a misdirected torpedo -- no mystery is involved, just an unusual accident. Likewise, no mystery is associated with the US aircraft that flew off course and landed in the Libyan desert. Although the book makes much of the "disappearance" of its crew, they surely left the airplane and died without a trace in the harsh desert climate. Did Martin Bormann (Hitler's secretary) manage to escape from the ruins of Berlin in 1945, and live to an old age in South America? Eyewitnesses testified at Nuremburg to seeing his death, and the rumor of his escape have no more credence than similar claims that have been made about Hitler. Indeed, this supposed mystery ended when DNA analysis conclusively identified Borman's remains in 1998, from a grave site in western Germany. Likewise, while it is true that we don't know precisely where Amelia Earhart's airplane went down in the Pacific in 1937, the question hardly qualifies as a mystery. As for speculation that she was on a secret mission to spy on the Japanese, the claims are highly implausible, as this book's author himself notes.

To be sure, there are unexplained issues explored in this book. One is the persistent question over whether hoards of treasure captured by the Axis forces were hidden in Austria, Italy, Malaysia, or the Philippines. Treasure seekers have found the rumors plausible enough to make extensive searches, although to no avail. Another puzzle has to do with the bizarre flight of Rudolf Hess (Hitler's deputy) to England in 1941, where he offered an incoherent peace proposal. Questions remain on whether the head of German military intelligence aided his flight in hopes of undercutting Hitler. On the other hand, claims that the individual was an imposter are entirely implausible. Likewise, speculation exists that many years later (in 1987, at the age of 93, while still serving a life term in prison) Hess did not (as officially determined) take his own life -- but at that late date, what possible motive could there have been for murder?

Readers interested in World War II will find some interesting stories and episodes here, many of which are unlikely to have been mentioned in conventional historical accounts. On those grounds, this book may be a useful addition to some readers' libraries. ( )